Hi Gang, Seems my 68 parts car hood somehow got closed and now will not open. I am sure this has happened to someone before so I hope somebody can tell me how to open it without damage ???? I can pull on the release but not able to get the hood up. Thanks, Bruce in Mount Airy, MD

Bruce, get a helper or two. Pull on the release, and have the helpers push down on both rear corners of da hood. Sometimes that will relieve some pressure off of the hood latches, and release them. It may work...it may not.
If the cable is damaged, and not actually pulling on the release under the hood, you gots a big problem!
There are other ways to get under there and release the hood, but, I haven't done it, so...
I'm sure someone here will have a good way to do it.

My 74 has a hole with a rubber plug, just behind the latch...both sides.  Maybe your 68 is the same?? I have never tried this, but push out the plugs.  Use a wooden stick maybe.  Once the rubber plug is removed, continue to probe around with your wooded stick.  You are in the area of the latch and if you are lucky, will disengage the latch.

I had often thought of removing the rubber plugs and making a stick to fit, just in case my hood got stuck.  Has anybody done this?

Let me know whatever you do, so we can all learn.....thanks

Maybe Adams method will work...hope so.

The 74 does not have the wiper door blocking the way.

I have gotten under the car and with much fussing and fishing manged to get a hood open from below.   Very difficult.

Is it possible to reach the latch through the opening on an L88 hood?

JR

Ken,

If you have small hands and can get under the rear hood access pull on the cable hard with luck it will release the latches. If not you can pry up ever so carefully with a wood block. Thenlocate the latches with a long shaft standard screwdriver of one of those nice long shaft snap-on pry bars. BE VERY CAREFUL!!!
It helps to study another C3 latch / hood before ya do this so it's fresh in your mind. If not a book will do as well.
There is a good article in Vette magazine May 2003 edition called "An open & shut case." If you are still unable to open it check with either your local Chevrolet garage or a reputable body shop. They both have the schematics to help you in your quest.

As Ken pointed out, the 73-up cars don't have the wiper door in the way, as the 68-72 cars do. This makes fishing for the cable/latches from the rear of da hood next to, if not impossible.

JR....if it is an original, factory L88 hood, no. If it is aftermarket, and open all the way across the rear, then it might be possible to grab the center, crossover cable.

Well crap, I musta went brain dead while lookin fer the article... I agree with Kya both, looks like it's gonna be a bottoms up kinda thang. Get out the light & man the safety glasses we're goin in.
Can this be reached with a bent coat hanger easily from the bottom? It shouldn't take much ta pop em loose... Just hook an pull. Another person topside would be excellant.

Gordon Killebrew had a tool at last year's Eureka Springs Corvette Weekend.  I can't remember if it was for a C4 or a C3.  He is mostly a C4 guy (retired from GM) , but when I talked with him about wiring behind the instrument cluster, he knew the wires by color code from memory for my C3.

His site (www.gordonkillebrew.com) shows the following: Call 1800-398-3883 (800-For Your Vette).  His fee is $10 per call and $3/minute while you talk w/him.  Charged to Visa or MC.  It might be pricey, but the guy sold me talking with him.  He knew exactly how to fix the wiring issues I had.

Couldn't hurt if no one else turns up a cheaper suggestion.

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple] JR....if it is an original, factory L88 hood, no. If it is aftermarket, and open all the way across the rear, then it might be possible to grab the center, crossover cable. [/QUOTE]

Thanks, Joel.....it is an aftermarket hood (Eckler's).

JR